Trump’s Escalating War With Higher Education

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has put the American university system on notice.


It has pressed for changes, opened investigations — and in some cases withheld critical funds.


Alan Blinder, who covers education in America, explains how schools are responding to the pressure and what it might mean for the future of higher education.


Guest: Alan Blinder (https://www.nytimes.com/by/alan-blinder) , a national correspondent for The New York Times, writing about education in America.


Background reading: 

• Columbia University promised changes to its protest policies, its security practices and its Middle Eastern studies department after the Trump administration moved to cut off $400 million in funding (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/ny...) .
• President Trump’s battles with colleges could change American culture for a generation (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us...) .

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-t...) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 


Photo: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times






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